Howie Milstein decided early in his career to question conventional thinking and seek the truth that is rooted in unbiased observation. As the Twin Cities’ first personal trainer in the 1980’s, Howie found that available resources that promoted certain ways of motivating his clients did not resonate with his observations. Spawned from this curiosity to learn the bases of the human condition was a passion that guided his studies and leadership principles. These principles have been implemented in many roles since his personal training days, including over 25 years managing teams in the medical device industry. As the CEO/Provocateur with the Institute to Stop Taking Yourself So Seriously!, Howie’s message is that, while there are myriad options to attempt cultural change in organizations, perhaps the only thing is for individuals to seriously manage their egos. Jobs and careers aren’t just for economic sustenance, rather they are a means to access and contribute to healthy communities where individuals are emotionally bolstered, challenged, and valued.